David Beckham has criticised referee Daniel Siebert for not awarding Atletico Madrid a second-half penalty during their Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal. The Gunners won 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate to reach the final for the first time in 20 years.
Speaking on his 'Beckham & Friends' watchalong show, the former England captain argued that Riccardo Calafiori fouled Antoine Griezmann inside the area, but the German official waved play on. Beckham claimed that Siebert had earlier blown for a non-existent foul on Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes by Marc Pubill, which prevented Atletico from launching a counter-attack.
"Oh my god. That is not a foul. This [Calafiori challenge] is! Yep! That wasn't a foul on Gabriel," Beckham said. Actor Tom Hiddleston disagreed, suggesting the Griezmann incident was similar to a non-penalty call in the first leg involving Eberechi Eze.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone refused to dwell on the decision, stating: "It was very clear... We believe he made the correct call in that situation. There's no point in discussing it further, as that would be making excuses." He praised Arsenal and congratulated them on their victory.
